TEHRAN – The ancient fortress of Nahvand, also known as Yazdegild Citadel, will be restored as part of an important cultural heritage project in central and western Iran.
Mohsen Khanjan, head of Nahavand’s cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts department and an archaeologist himself, presented plans for the reconstruction of the centuries-old fort, emphasizing its historical and cultural importance.
In an interview with CHTN, Hanjan emphasized the need to preserve ancient buildings as cultural and tourism assets. He said the project is being implemented with the support of the local government and the city’s representatives in the Iranian parliament.
“The Nahavand Fortress is one of the most important ancient sites in the region, dating back to the Sassanid period,” Khanjan said. “It once played an important role in defending Iran’s territory. Its fall at the Battle of Nakhvand was a turning point in the country’s history.”
The fort is strategically located on a hill overlooking the surrounding area and served as an important defensive structure during the late Sassanid period. Its architecture reflects ancient Iranian military engineering, with thick stone walls, numerous towers, and fortified observation posts designed to withstand sieges and invasions.
Khanjan explained that the height of the fortifications allowed defenders to monitor incoming threats and respond accordingly. The rugged terrain surrounding the site provided an added defensive advantage.
The archaeologist described the structure as a symbol of ancient Iranian resilience and ingenuity, saying the fortress represents the military might and architectural innovation of a civilization that once flourished in the region. “It is a powerful reminder of the Sassanid period and early Islamic history, embodying a rich and turbulent past.”
However, the fort suffered heavy damage during the Qajar period. According to Khanjan, the great treasure was discovered during the reign of Nasser al-Din Shah in the 19th century while digging a qanat near the site. The Shah then ordered extensive excavations and photography around the fort, which resulted in its almost complete destruction in the name of finding more treasure. Local residents said the reason for the demolition was that the building overlooked private homes, but the actual motive appears to have been a treasure hunt.
Efforts are currently underway to revive the fortress, which has long been in decline. Mr Khanjan confirmed that restoration work has begun under the initiative of Nahavand Municipality with the cooperation of the Department of Cultural Heritage. The first phase will include rezoning land adjacent to the site and purchasing nearby land to expedite the rebuilding process.
The Nakhaband area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as evidenced by extensive excavations carried out in 1931-1932 at Tepe Giyan, about 10 kilometers southeast of the city. French archaeologists Georges Comtonneau and Romain Gilcheman have determined that the area was occupied from at least 5000 BC to around 1000 BC.
Classical sources also focus on the ancient roots of Nakhaband. The Greek geographer Strabo noted that the city was rebuilt by the Achaemenid king Xerxes the Great, and later became a Greek polis with a magistrate and governor during the Seleucid period.
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